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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012713

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said on Thursday that he instructed the Highways Department to delay fines for late payment of the use of the new M-Flow tollgates until the end of next month.

Saksayam’s move follows public complaints that the new system, which has gone into operation at four tollgates on Motorway No 9, or the Bang Pa In ring road, is confusing and the late payment fines are too high.

Some motorists also complained that a banking system glitch made it unable for them to pay the tolls in time, leading to expensive fines.

Saksayam admitted that the errors in the banking clearance system of payments prompted several motorists to be fined.

The minister said he ordered the department to return all the fines to motorists and delay new fines until March 31.

The M-Flow is a new barrier-less tollgate system. Motorists are required to register with the system’s website for postpaid accounts. They can choose to be charged for each pass or on a monthly basis.

Those who have not registered for M-Flow accounts are required to pay the bill within two days or face a fine that’s ten times the amount.

The Highways Department had announced that there was a glitch in the bank payment clearance system from 9pm on February 21 to 12pm on February 22. The glitch led to payments by motorists being declared as “pending”.

The announcement stated that Krung Thai Bank is addressing the glitch and all payments will be updated as “done” after the fix.

Motorists who have paid twice for the tolls would be refunded in full, the announcement said.

Those who want to still complain about the payments or fines can contact officials via the M-Flow website or use the mflowthai app, the announcement added.

Published : February 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012708

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have not affected the Thailand-UK aviation route, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said on Thursday.

The flight route has not been affected as it does not pass the territorial airspace of either Russia or Ukraine, TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said, citing remarks from TAT’s London Office.

He said Etihad Airways UK, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines have also confirmed that the Russia-Ukraine tensions have not affected their Thailand-UK flight routes.

“TAT’s travel agency partners, namely Destination Travel, Gold Medal, Kuoni and Lotus Group, said reservations for travel from Britain to Thailand are still available,” he said.

Yuthasak added that TAT’s London Office would monitor the situation closely and contact airlines and travel agencies accordingly.

He confirmed that TAT would report the situation immediately if Russia-Ukraine tensions affect the Thailand-UK aviation route.

Published : February 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012703

A key Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting chaired by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday agreed to do away with quarantine for both Thais and foreigners entering the country via land and marine channels in three pilot border provinces of Nong Khai, Udon Thani and Songkhla from March 1.

Currently, the kingdom only allows no-quarantine entry via air under Thailand Pass and the Test & Go scheme.

CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin said that from March 1, those who wish to enter the country via the three provinces by land must register for Thailand Pass.

“New arrivals by land require no quarantine, but they need to take a RT-PCR test upon arrival and stay at an alternative quarantine [AQ] hotel that is certified under the SHA Extra Plus standard for a night while waiting for the result,” he said. “They will need to take an ATK test on the 5th day of their stay.”

The other criteria for visitors by land include a need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 at least 14 days before departure, a negative RT-PCR test result not more than 72 hours before departure, proof of payment for a hotel accommodation on the first night and Covid-19 insurance coverage of at least US$20,000 (THB645,000).

As for visitors via marine channels, they will need to register for a COE (certificate of entry), take a RT-PCR test upon arrival and stay on their boat/yacht while awaiting the result. They will also need a mandatory ATK test on day 5, similar to visitors by land but minus a hotel booking/payment.

“The CCSA will consider expanding the no-quarantine measures to other border provinces such as Satun, Yala and Narathiwat from April,” Taweesilp added.

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Thailand reopens under new, more complicated Test & Go scheme

Modified Test & Go scheme to resume from Feb 1

No changes in Covid-19 measures, province classifications

Published : February 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012701

The Bangkok South Criminal Court on Wednesday denied bail to democracy activists Arnon Nampa and Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak despite the two being granted bail on Tuesday by the Criminal Court, the Ayutthaya Provincial Court and the Bangkok South Municipal Court.

In a press release on Wednesday, the Bangkok South Criminal Court said it decided against granting bail to Arnon since the reasons given by his lawyer – that Arnon wanted to take care of his family and earn a living – are insufficient to overturn the order of the Appeal Court, which had ruled that Arnon could not be released on bail.

The court added that Arnon had also been charged with several offences and granting him bail could possibly cause danger or damage, so his bail request was denied.

As for Parit, the court said his bail request would not be considered until he presented official evidence that he had registered for second semester classes at Thammasat University as specified in his bail request.

The court said such evidence must be officially released by the university only.

Both Arnon and Parit are from the Ratsadon protest group and have been charged with lese majeste and other crimes in multiple cases relating to their protest activities.

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Rassadorn Prasong fund receives donation of over THB10m to help two pro-democracy activists

Protests still illegal under Covid emergency: Bangkok police

Four imprisoned protest leaders in good health: department

Published : February 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012696

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Wednesday made no changes to the classification of provinces based on the seriousness of the Covid situation and retained measures to fight the pandemic.

CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin said the centre retained the province classifications that had been announced on February 11, which put 44 provinces in the orange zone, or controlled area, and 25 provinces in the highly monitored, or yellow, zone. Eight provinces remain classified as tourism-pilot provinces, or the blue zone.

The 44 orange provinces are:

Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao, Chumphon, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Trang, Trat, Tak, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Buriram, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Prachinburi, Ayutthaya, Phayao, Phatthalung, Phetchaburi, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Mae Hong Son, Yasothon, Roi Et, Ranong, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Lopburi, Sisaket, Songkhla, Satun, Samut Prakan, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Sa Kaeo, Saraburi, Surat Thani, Surin, Nong Khai, Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani.

The 25 yellow provinces are:

Kamphaeng Phet, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Sawan, Narathiwat, Bueng Kan, Pattani, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Phrae, Yala, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Sakon Nakhon, Singburi, Sukhothai, Suphanburi, Nong Bua Lamphu, Angthong, Amnat Charoen, Uttaradit and Uthai Thani.

The eight tourist provinces in the blue zone are:

Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Chonburi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phang-nga and Phuket.

Related News

CCSA retains Covid-19 measures, province classifications

Curfew lifted nationwide, but bars still closed; CCSA eases arrival regulations

Published : February 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012694

The government has disbursed a total 101.34 billion baht to compensate public and private hospitals for treatment of Covid-19 patients, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said on Wednesday.

The money was handed to hospitals since the coronavirus was found in Thailand in 2019 until January 2022, the CCSA said.

It provided a breakdown of the budget:

– Green-category patients (those with mild or no symptoms): 23,248 baht per person in public hospitals, 50,326 baht per person in private hospitals.

– Yellow-category patients (those with medium symptoms or with underlying health problems): 81,844 baht per person in public hospitals and 92,752 baht per person in private hospitals.

– Red-category patients (those with severe symptoms that require respirators): 252,182 baht per person in public hospitals, 375,428 baht per person in private hospitals.

The CCSA said the Public Health Ministry proposed that the compensation for public hospitals be adjusted after March 1 to suit the current situation.

Under the new scheme, public hospitals will be compensated 12,000 baht, 69,300 baht and 241,400 baht for treatment of green, yellow and red patients, respectively.

Last year, 768,491 patients received Covid-19 treatment at hospitals under the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients scheme, with 88 per cent in the green category, 11 in the yellow and one per cent in the red category.

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Review Covid emergency treatment criteria, Cabinet tells Anutin

BMA to open waiting centres if hospital occupancy rates exceed 80%

Thailand has enough hospital beds in case of Omicron surge

Published : February 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012693

The Meteorological Department issued a weather warning early on Thursday, saying that from February 24 to 26 a rather strong high pressure system from China will usher in stronger easterly and southeasterly winds over the South and the Gulf of Thailand.

Meanwhile, an active low-pressure cell near the north of Borneo Island will move to Malaysia and the lower South of Thailand.

More rains are forecast over the South with isolated heavy to very heavy rains in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phang-nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun.

The department said people in the South should beware of heavy to very heavy rains and water accumulation that may cause flash floods or overflows.

It also said wind waves in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf will become stronger, at about 1-2 metres higher in the Andaman Sea, 2 metres higher in the upper Gulf, 2-3 metres higher in the lower Gulf and above 3 metres high during thundershowers.

The department advised people in these coastal areas to beware of a storm surge. It warned all ships to proceed with caution and keep away from areas experiencing thundershowers, while small boats in the Gulf should keep ashore during the period.

Published : February 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

Ministry of Public Health reported on Thursday (February 24) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 23,557 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 228 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 38, while 16,131 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 570,915.
 

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,794,350 – 2,590,589 of whom have recovered, 180,993 are still in hospitals and 22,768 have died.

Separately, another 61,074 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 43,136 their second shot and 183,689 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 122,473,371.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 430.21 million on Thursday, 358.61 million of whom have recovered, 65.66 million are active cases (79,480 in severe condition) and 5.94 million have died (up by 10,559).

Thailand ranks 32nd in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 80.37 million, followed by India with 42.88 million, Brazil with 28.49 million, France with 22.47 million and the UK with 18.73 million.

Published : February 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40012686

Siam Makro and the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding on “Food Cooperation for Wildlife”, to deliver fruits, vegetables and edible excess food from Makro retail malls for feeding animals.

The feeding will be done through 27 wildlife rescue centres that have more than 26,600 animals. CP group aims to achieve zero food waste to landfill by 2030.

Vegetables, fruits and excess food that are still edible but cannot be sold, averaging around 20 tons per month, from 17 Makro branches in 14 provinces will be sent to 27 wildlife rescue centres under the supervision of the DNP.

In addition to the DNP agencies, the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation has joined this project as well.

Published : February 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40012684

Bangkok moved up to 6th place in the International Convention Destination City in 2021, up from 8th place in 2020, according to GainingEdge’s 101 Cities Global Survey, the world’s leading consulting firm for the MICE industry.

The firm surveyed 101 cities selected from the International Congress and Convention Association’s list of the largest international convention cities for 2017-19.

The International Convention Destination Competitive Index considered infrastructure, ease of access to cities, logistics, attractiveness as a travel destination, and cost of operations by planners and organisers.

Paris topped the convention destinations in the world for 2021.

The top 10:

1. Paris

2. New York

3. Singapore

4. Beijing

5. Tokyo

6. Bangkok

7. London

8. Barcelona

9. Istanbul

10. Washington

Among the top 10 specific cities in the Asia-Pacific region, Bangkok was ranked 4th, behind Singapore, Beijing and Tokyo, and ahead of Hong Kong, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Macau and Bali.

Chiruit Isarangkun na Ayutthaya, president of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), said that it is a great honour that Bangkok was ranked sixth in the world as a convention destination city in 2021. The TCEB is working to improve its products and services to attract international convention planners and international colleagues, he said.

Bangkok’s improved ranking comes as MICE events resume, with the Thai capital hosting the Global Summit of Women from June 23-25 this year, while the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center will be fully operational in September, and will be the venue for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit 2022 in November.

Published : February 23, 2022

By : THE NATION